Wednesday, December 27, 2006

I have seen travelers in warm climates and warm airports struggling with coats, carrying coats and wearing coats and then being uncomfortable. Changing climates while you travel can bring up and number of issues. Here are a few ideas I have come up with:

1.) When traveling to a cold climate you are going to need a coat. But that does not mean that you have to wear the coat through security, around the airport or on the flight. If you have a lot of items that need to be taken out of your luggage at the security checkpoint your coat is going to be one more thing to wrestle with at this very uncomfortable time. Most airports are kept fairly warm during the winter; your coat is going to be a burden. Solution: Bring a coat that can be easily folded and stored in an external compartment in a carry-on bag (for a business traveler all bags are usually carry-on) Of course, if you are going to extremely cold climates the coat will be too large to stow in a carry-on. For most colder climates a medium coat with layers of clothing underneath will be more than adequate.Have the coat packed in an outside compartment of your carry-on until you actually get into cold weather then pull it out and wear it. 2.) A change of clothes is usually for one day, so dress for the climate where you are going to be spending the most of the day/night. Example: If you have to make a quick dash to the airport in your home climate (warm) but are going to be exploring at your destination (cold climate) it makes sense to have on at least basic clothes for a cold climate (enough clothing to keep most of your body warm).3.) If you are going to be on a long flight, wear the clothes that you are going to make you comfortable on the flight regardless of your destination climate (you can change when you get to your destination). If you are on a flight overseas, you are going to have to do everything you have to do to make yourself comfortable. If you have ever been on one of these flights you know what I mean. Even in first or business class, you are going to have to get comfortable for an extended period of time.

Final Note: It is my understanding that riding in a plane increases your risk of catching airborne illnesses. Do everything you can to prevent your body from being exposed favorable conditions for incubating an illness.

Monday, December 11, 2006

A good deal of my travel is during the week. I usually travel to large cities (I usually consult for large companies). I travel over 40 weeks a year so I have status with airlines, hotels and rental car companies.In the last few years, traveler programs with airlines, hotels and rental car companies have become increasingly popular. I understand that American Airlines was the originator of the "points program" for business travelers. A few years later, other major airlines realized that a points program could help them retain customers. Today, all major airlines have points programs. The newest twist to the airline point programs is that there are alliances between many airlines who share points with other airlines.Hotels have moved into the points program full swing. Now, all major chains have points programs. Like the airlines, hotels have formed alliances to allow their customers the ability to easily use the same program on every trip. The alliances help smaller hotel chains compete against the leviathans like Marriott and Hilton hotels.An interesting note about hotels (relative newcomers to points programs) is that hotels offer far greater return, on average, than airlines or rental car companies. Hotel rewards are available in the form of free rooms and gifts but hotels also offer other perks to their customers who achieve the upper levels in their programs.

Some of the perks offered to the top level points program (*priority) members while staying in the hotel:1. In some hotels, there are sets of rooms that always go to priority members.2. Access to the Concierge Lounge where you can eat a full meal ( there is enough variety to constitute a meal but usually laid out as appetizers ). Most lounges are open for Breakfast and Dinner and many have some kind of edibles available all day.3. Priority member can request upgrades, in many cases the upgrade will be a suite.4. Priority members can enjoy special customer appreciation events (and they can be quiet extravagant depending on the hotel)5. Welcome gifts which vary from chain to chain. Could be a small bottle of wine, basket of fruits, cheese and crackers or bonus points.6. Priority members are offered the ability to reserve a room even if there are “officially” no rooms available .7. Other guest services, like internet access, computer and printer access and concierge services .8. And of course the special turn down service and gourmet chocolates left on your pillow.

All in all, it has been my experience that hotel points are far more valuable than airline points. At some point I will do an analysis of the comparison.

* I use the term "priority" as a general term for the members who have acheived the top level in a program. One of the chains does use the term "priority" to describe its points program.

Coming next: How to obtain status with an airline or hotel without having earned the points

Monte Carlo

About Me

I am an information security consultant who travels in the US on business. I have been traveling for business for over 15 years and know how to get the most out of being "on the road". I like to travel for pleasure and have spent some time in Europe.